New Total, Old Winner -- Perry

For the second time in three days, Belvin Perry celebrated being elected as the newest Orange-Osceola circuit judge after a recount showed he had unseated incumbent James Byrd by only 363 votes.

The final count was 40,414 to 40,051 -- or 114 votes less than Perry's original winning margin Tuesday night. The recount was called after elections officials discovered Thursday that a computer operator inadvertently punched in incorrect totals in one Orange County precinct.

Orange County votes were counted again Thursday, and the gap narrowed from 477 to 385 votes. Byrd picked up 22 votes in Osceola County Friday.

Before that count was finished, Byrd called to congratulate Perry and made his first public comment on the race. Before that, Byrd's relatives had said he was too upset to talk to anyone.

''The hurt is over now,'' said Byrd, 63, who was elected six years ago. ''The voters of Orange and Osceola counties have spoken, and I'll accept the will of the voters. I wish him the best of luck, and I'll be glad to assist him in any way I can. I know he will be a good judge.''

An obviously relieved Perry, who had paced the floors of elections supervisors' offices in both counties during the recount, also had kind words for Byrd.

''He was a complete gentleman,'' Perry said. ''He was very kind in his remarks. I'm glad it's over with.''

The harmonious exchange of words between the two was an abrupt switch from the often unpleasant way the two talked about each other during the campaign, which lawyers have called the most bitter judicial race in Orange County history.

The 38-year-old Perry, currently Orange-Osceola chief assistant state attorney and a prosecutor for 11 years, attacked Byrd's record of two reprimands by the state Supreme Court and controversial remarks he made as a judge. Byrd accused Perry of gutter tactics.

''I know the campaign focused on some negative things,'' Perry said. ''But it's time to move on now and remember Judge Byrd for some of the positive things he did.''

The judge said he didn't know if Perry's tactics caused him to lose or, as some lawyers have said, whether editorials and coverage of his term by The Orlando Sentinel were responsible.

''That's what some people have told me,'' he said. ''I really don't have any idea why.''

Byrd will continue on the bench until Jan. 3, when Perry will take over. After that, Byrd said, he probably will go back into private law practice. Byrd was a criminal and civil defense attorney for 30 years before being elected judge.

''That's what I'm qualified to do,'' Byrd said. ''It was a pleasure for me to serve, and I hope I have served well.''